Preparing for Your PSC Move PAGE 4
NAS Sigonella FES Receives International Accreditation
Photos from MWRs Glow in the Park Run
PAGE 7
N A S SIG O N E L L A
PAGES 8-9
MAY 11, 2018
Vol. 35 No. 18
MWR Reinstates Recreational Swim Fees From Sigonella MWR
MWR shares our military’s commitment to being the very best. In order to continue to provide you and your family with a fun and safe swimming facility, recreation swim fees at the NAS 1 Splashers Pool and all of the pools in the EURAFSWA Region will be reinstated June 16-August 26, 2018. We have done our best to keep the fees as low as possible to help you and your family continue to enjoy the pool. The FAQs provided can help answer many of your questions. Why are you charging swim fees this year? Prior to 2015, admission was charged for recreational swimming as instructed by the Navy Installation Command (CNIC). Recreational swim fees were eliminated in 2015 at NAVSTA Rota, NAS Sigonella and NSA Naples. This was the result of a strong MWR financial condition within the EURAFSWA Region and because of that strong position, MWR was able to pass on the benefit to Sailors and their families in a number of programs. Unfortunately, the Navywide MWR financial position has become much less sound this year and has forced Regional MWR programs to review all pricing levels, programs and services. How did you determine the admission fees? The daily rates are the same as 2014, the last year the pool charged admission. In light of that, and for additional value, multiple visit punch cards are being offered. These admission fees will not fully offset the costs of maintaining and operating the pools but they will help produce enough revenue to keep operations at the same high standard for our customers. MWR wanted to avoid any reduction in recreational pool services to customers even during this tough financial year. What are the rates? Daily rate: 5 and younger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Free 6-15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3 16 and older . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4 Guests (6 and older) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5 10-visit Splash Card (an overall $5 savings vs. daily rate): 6-15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $25 16 and older . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $35 30-visit Splash Card (an overall $25 savings vs. daily rate): 6-15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $65 16 and older . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $95 Why can’t recreation swimming be free? The CNIC instruction states that everyone be assessed a fee for recreational swimming. Recreational swim fees help cover the costs of labor, maintenance, equipment and supplies. Who will be charged an admission fee? Admission will be charged for everyone six years and older during recreational swim times. As the CNIC instruction states, “For recreational use, all patrons who enter the facility, regardless of purpose, e.g., leisure swimming, sunbathing, child supervision, may be assessed the daily admission fee.” Will children taking swim lessons be charged an admission fee? No, the only charge will be for the actual lesson. Will adults who accompany their children to swim lessons be charged an admission fee? No. Parents/guardians will be permitted to accompany their child(ren) into the aquatics facility to ensure supervision during swim lessons. Will people be able to leave the pool and return without paying again? Yes. You may exit and re-enter the facility without having to pay for readmission. Before you exit the pool area, you must receive an identification mark or wrist band from the cashier. However, readmission depends on the capacity of the pool. For example, if the pool is at capacity when you return,
you must wait in line for other people to exit before gaining readmittance. Will the recreational swimming hours remain the same? Yes. We have kept the Rec Swim schedule this year the same as it was last year, Monday – Friday 12001700, Saturday, Sunday and Holidays 1000-1730. Is lap swim affected? No. Lap swim is a component of Fitness, which is a mission-essential program. So, lap swim will remain free. Will I need to pay to go to a private party? No. Private parties are managed through alternate means and agreements. Does each person need his/her own punch card? No. Children 6-15 may gain entry using the same punch card and adults may use the same 16 and older card. For example, a family of four with two elementary school children may purchase two cards (two punches of the adult card for the parents and two punches of the 6-15 years card for the children).
What if I lose my punch card or rain check? All punch cards and rain checks are treated as cash. If you lose your punch card or rain check, no refunds are available. You must purchase a new card. Will refunds be issued for unused punches? No. There will not be refunds given for unused punches. When will the punch card expire? Punch cards are valid for the current summer swim season. Do other Navy installations charge admission for recreational swimming? Pool fees vary at military installations. In the case of EURAFSWA installations, to keep prices as low as possible, the fees were reinstituted at the same price as they were at those locations in 2014. MWR continually reviews pricing structures in all of its programs with the Navy chain of command. With recreational swim fees being reinstituted this year, MWR will closely monitor and recommend changes to keep fees as reasonable as possible and still maintain financial solvency.